Earphoria

Smashing Pumpkins: Billy Corgan (vocals, guitar); James Iha (guitar); D'Arcy (bass); Jimmy Chamberlain (drums).
Recording information: Atlanta, GA (1988-1994); Barcelona, Spain (1988-1994); Chicago, IL (1988-1994); London, England (1988-1994).
First released in 1994 in VHS format as VIEUPHORIA, this collection of pre-MELLON COLLIE AND THE INFINITE SADNESS live tracks finds the groundbreaking Chicago quartet captured live during their marathon 1993-4 world tour in a variety of international settings, from London and Chicago to Spain and Japan. In addition to the original 10 live tracks featured on the video, including a half-time version of "Disarm" from British TV, and an unplugged "Cherub Rock" from a European MTV show, EARPHORIA features snippets of demos dotted throughout the proceedings, such as the opening "Sinfony" and the intriguing "Bugg Superstar," while the anthemic (and self-descriptive) closing instrumental jam "Why Am I So Tired" is something of a percussive tour-de-force for ace drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. Also available in DVD format, the set will be an education for those who wish to delve a little deeper into the Pumpkins' oeuvre, as well as an obvious must-have for Pumpkins completists.